Your Highness, your wife has had her virginity mark applied and married someone else.

Shen Mingshu didn't believe in coincidences, only in tests—Chunxi's fate was a test of whether or not to start targeting Zhang Yu.

Shen Mingshu could go to save her, because Old Madam Wei believed that she was unwilling to accept it, but Shen Mingshu insisted on waiting for Old Madam Wei to make a move.

The goal was to obtain Madam Wei's opinion.

Old Madam Wei had previously been unwilling to pursue the matter of Zhang Yu poisoning her, but now that life has been given a second chance—her attitude this time will determine whether Shen Mingshu's plan will succeed.

Fortunately, she also generously expressed her attitude.

Thus, the scheme targeting Zhang Yu could begin.

……

Under the warm yellow light, Wei Yuan held the letter written by Shen Mingshu and read it over and over again.

With gentle eyes and eyes full of love, her long-desolate heart finally received the nourishment of sweet dew.

Although he didn't know why a maid's fate could have such an effect, he followed Shen Mingshu's lead.

"I will return to the manor tomorrow as Ming Shu requested."

Just then, a servant's shouts came from outside.

"Second Young Master, Headmaster Lu requests your presence."

Upon hearing that it was Lu Yanzhi, Wei Yuan's eyes darkened.

He carefully put the letter away, opened the door, and left with the servant.

Upon entering.

Lu Yanzhi's face was still somewhat pale, suggesting that the Lu family's discipline was quite severe.

Her slightly bloodshot eyes were fixed on Wei Yuan, and the deep meaning in her eyes made Wei Yuan feel uneasy.

He bowed respectfully and said, "Headmaster."

"..." Lu Yanzhi lowered his eyes, suppressing his surging emotions, and said, "Sit."

The calm before the storm is always unsettling.

Wei Yuan sat down in silence.

Lu Yanzhi slowly raised his eyes, stared at him, and finally delivered his verdict: "Youyou is pregnant."

The moment the words left his mouth, it felt as if a heavy iron weight had slammed into his chest, and Wei Yuan's breath abruptly stopped.

His mind was racing, and he instinctively retorted, "Impossible!"

The two only had sex once, and in less than half a month, how could it be detected?

unless……

Wei Yuan realized something, and his fingertips went cold and numb uncontrollably: "She—"

"That's right." Lu Yanzhi leaned back in his chair, his eyes were dark and his face had a numb and weary look. "Afterwards, she was afraid that you wouldn't take responsibility, so she secretly went to Tiange and bought Yanyu Pills."

Yanyu Pill is the medicine that Shen Mingshu mentioned, which can make one pregnant with just one dose.

In the past, Shen Mingshu "ate" him, but he was afraid of this and that.

Now, by sheer chance, Lu Youyou has been tricked again, and this time, it has sent him straight to the deepest abyss, completely severing his connection with Shen Mingshu.

"squeak--"

Wei Yuan staggered to his feet, the stool sliding on the ground with a screeching sound.

Wei Yuan's color faded, and he exclaimed in shock, "We absolutely cannot tell Ming Shu!"

She absolutely must not find out!

Otherwise, she would definitely feel guilty and leave Lu Yanzhi completely because of the little kindness he showed her!

Looking at the panic on Wei Yuan's face, Lu Yanzhi paused for a moment, the usual gentle curve of his lips wrapped in a layer of cold melancholy, and he chuckled softly.

"It's true... one wrong step leads to another."

His mistake was being blind, watching little by little as Lu Youyou dragged him and everyone else into an abyss of no return.

Now that things have come to this, the person I feel most sorry for is her A-Shu.

She did nothing, even yielding at every turn, yet she ultimately became a sacrifice.

"Wei Yuan, neither of us deserves her love anymore."

Lu Yanzhi's gaze as he looked out the window was as cold as if separated by thousands of mountains and rivers.

Three years ago, he couldn't protect her; three years later, he became the one indirectly harming her.

Lu Yanzhi closed his eyes in pain: "Don't delay her any longer. Just focus on treating Youyou well. My Lu family is willing to be a stepping stone for you and Ashu."

"As for her official career, it's up to Ashu to decide how far she wants to go."

"you--"

Wei Yuan stared in astonishment at Lu Yanzhi letting go, unable to accept or believe it.

But what can he do?

He couldn't be as cold-hearted and ruthless as Wei Ziye, nor could he be as selfless and loving as Lu Yanzhi.

He just wanted to have a small family with Ming Shu.

Why is it that the harder I try, the further away I get from her...?

……

At the Wei residence, during the evening banquet.

Seeing that Madam Wei's condition was getting better and better, Wei Xu's long-tense nerves finally found some relief.

He personally served Old Madam Wei a bowl of medicinal food, his expression gentle.

"Mother looks much better lately, but did Ah Ye find you any good medicine?"

Old Madam Wei didn't have a very kind look on her son. Sitting in her wheelchair, her cloudy eyes swept over Zhang Yu, and her words were full of hidden meaning.

"In short, he won't die."

"What are you saying, Mother?" Wei Xu sighed helplessly and coaxed softly, "May you live a long and healthy life."

"Hmph." Old Madam Wei snorted lightly, then looked at Wei Ziye: "How is the one in the palace?"

Wei Ziye's expression was not good.

"When the assassin launched the night attack, he claimed to be a loyal servant of the Wei family. Although the emperor did not believe him, he was furious that the enemies of the Wei family had disturbed the imperial procession. He specially ordered his grandson to take charge of the Dali Temple and the Ministry of Justice and give an explanation within a week."

"A week?" Zhang Yu's cold and beautiful brows furrowed. "What can you find out in such a short time? If the Emperor wants to punish someone, why does he need so many excuses?"

"Shut up!"

Wei Xu was furious at her outspokenness. He dismissed the servants and asked solemnly, "Ah Ye, do you have any clues?"

Zhang Yu was glared at by him, and in frustration, she threw down her chopsticks, crossed her arms, and looked at Wei Ziye.

Wei Ziye shook his head: "Not for now. This framing is too frivolous. It doesn't seem like a false accusation, but more like a performance. The Emperor was just startled. Once his anger subsides, he may not really take his anger out on the Wei family."

"Hmm...you are more composed than your father."

Grandma Wei nodded in satisfaction and gave Wei Xu a tender look.

Wei Xu smiled helplessly: "This matter can be big or small. I came back to set the tone for the Wei family's attitude."

Old Madam Wei sneered, "You, who can't even manage the inner quarters, can you represent the attitude of the Wei family?"

Zhang Yu, feeling dissatisfied after being repeatedly subjected to sarcastic remarks, retorted, "Mother, that's not right. If the head of the Wei family can't represent the attitude of the Wei family, then who can?"

"Of course it's not you."

Old Lady Wei's cloudy eyes made no attempt to hide her disdain for Zhang Yu. "Ah Ye, that's all that matters. Go back to the courtyard."

Wei Xu rose to see her off respectfully, saying, "Mother, please eat some more."

Old Mrs. Wei was pushed around, leaving only the words, "An eyesore."

"..."

In the stagnant silence, only Zhang Yu's tightly clenched hands made a cracking sound.

"You old hag..."

"Mother," Wei Ziye looked at her disapprovingly, "If it weren't for Grandmother's secret guards informing me beforehand, I'm afraid I would have been caught off guard. Grandmother is not in good health, so please don't upset her anymore."

"I'm angry with her?"

Zhang Yu gritted his teeth in anger, his laughter icy cold, each utterance laced with barely suppressed rage.

"Fine, I'll wait until she can't take it anymore!"

"..."

Disappointed by her harsh expression, Wei Xu got up and left the room.

Wei Ziye listened to Zhang Yu's angry cursing and ate in silence.

Yes, but it tastes bland and tasteless.

……

The next day.

Shen Mingshu took the initiative to visit Old Madam Wei, but she didn't see her. However, she was still allowed to leave after the family physician took her pulse.

This actually relieved Shen Mingshu – at least no one suspected anything.

Then she went to Zhang Yu's place and found a group of servants meticulously cleaning the courtyard.

The head steward commanded in a shrill voice, "Everyone, open your eyes wide and clean thoroughly! If the young master smells blood again, you'll be the next ones to be skinned alive!"

"Yes……"

The steward snorted coldly, turned his head, and saw Shen Mingshu standing at the courtyard gate. He quickly stepped forward and led her inside.

Zhang Yugang and his son had a less-than-pleasant breakfast, and upon seeing her, their faces instantly hardened with a stern expression.

"I didn't even go looking for you, and you still dared to go up to me and invite a scolding? Shen Mingshu, you can't even control a man. Have you forgotten all the seduction skills I taught you?"

It hasn't been long, yet Shen Mingshu has already arranged for Wei Yuan to get engaged to the Lu family!